This article is the third in a series on mailpiece design techniques that can help you save money on postage.  In the course of 20+ years of direct mail and literature fulfillment, the project managers at DataWorks have observed many missed opportunities for saving money on postage.  Often a slight change in the design of a piece can add up to big savings when it’s time to mail.

A “flat” is a mailpiece, typically a large envelope, that is larger than a letter-size envelope and meets the guidelines for size, weight and contents shown below.  Large envelopes are often used to send advertising materials such as 8 ½ X 11 brochures, to send documents that the sender does not want to fold, or to make a bigger impact than a smaller envelope might.  Sending materials first-class in a large envelope is more expensive than sending them in a #10 envelope, but if your mailpiece stays within the flat mail guidelines you can avoid paying priority mail or parcel post rates.

To qualify for the first-class flat rate (also called “large envelope” rate) your mailpiece must be:

• Rectangular
• No more than 12 inches high by 15 inches long by 3/4 inches thick
• 13 ounces or less
• Flexible
• Uniformly thick

Most large envelopes designed for business use meet the size and shape guidelines above.  Pay close attention to the last three measures – weight, flexibility and uniform thickness – to keep your postage low.  If your envelope weighs more than 13 ounces, you will pay priority mail rates.  If your envelope is not flexible or is not of uniform thickness, for example if you stuff a binder, a thin box or a baseball cap into an envelope, you will pay parcel post rates.

Here are some examples for a mailing of 1000 10 X 13 envelopes:

• 4 oz., $1.39                                                =  $1390
• 4 oz., rigid or non-uniform, $1.73   =  $1730
• 13 oz., $2.92                                              =  $2920
• 14 oz., $4.90 minimum                         = $4900

As shown in the second and fourth examples, small differences in contents and weight can trigger big jumps in postage.  Sometimes it’s unavoidable to go up to a higher postage rate.  If you are supposed to send someone a baseball cap, then you can’t send them a brochure instead!  But if you plan ahead you may be able to shave ounces off a printed piece or design it to be flexible to keep from paying the higher parcel or priority mail rates.

There are additional requirements for sending letters by standard (bulk) mail or automation mail and maximizing your postage savings.  Please contact DataWorks mailing services if you would like help planning your next mailing. We help companies in the Lehigh Valley of eastern PA, and beyond, to get the most out of their mailing and fulfillment dollars.

Tags: Lehigh Valley Mail Services, Literature Fulfillment, Mailing cost, Mailpiece Design, Postage Costs, Postal Rates